Yoga pants, dogs, and ice cream

Miami
Written By Andrea De La Torre

Miami Guide.

Neon lights and bright colors light up the city.

Yoga pants and smoothies every day.

Dogs on the street, on the beach, and in women’s tiny purses.

Most Uber drivers will have a story to tell and it's often in Spanish.

 

Where to explore

1. Brickell
Brickell is the more modern part of Miami, picture high rises, fancy malls and high-end hotels.

2. Downtown
The heart of Miami, connecting you to all the main neighborhoods in Miami. You can find great restaurants and bay-front parks and museums here.

3. Little Havana
This part of Miami is a little more raw, go during the day and explore the best food in Miami.

4. South Beach
Party vibe, endless hot beachfront hotels, packed beaches, lots of people watching and great food.

5. Wynwood
The artsy part of Miami, still feels posh but it has a lot of cool walls to discover, good food and coffee.

 

What to do

  • Have a picnic on a beach
    Some ideas: Crandon Park beach, South beach, Surfside beach, Bal Harbour beach, Sunny Isles beach

  • Rent a scooter off the street
    A nice way to quickly get from A to B.

  • Hop on the Metromover, for free
    Only works in Downtown Miami and Brickell area, but it’s a pretty cool way to get around.

  • Explore Maurice A. Ferré Park AKA museum park
    Enjoy the terrace at Perez Art Museum, check out the Frost Museum, or just walk around Museum Park.

  • Rubell Museum

  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

  • Go dog watching in Brickell Point Park
    If you’re a dog person you’ll love this park, enjoy those furry faces and take in the beautiful water views too.

  • Check out the graffiti scene beyond Wynwood Walls
    Wynwood Walls has everything neatly curated in one place but go explore and see what else you can find on the streets.

  • Immerse yourself in Calle Ocho
    Make sure to grab some ice cream at Azucar and then make it a mission to find the best Cuban coffee.

  • Get a massage at Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena Hotel
    Book a massage and get access to the beach club.

  • Admire the Art Deco architecture on Ocean Drive
    Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

  • Stroll down the Miami Beach Boardwalk
    Scope out which hotel pool you want to lounge in - start in South Beach.

  • Have some time? Go on an Everglades airboat adventure
    Shark Valley is the closest entrance to the city.

  • See the sunset at South Pointe Park Pier

 

Where to stay

  • East Miami (Brickell)
    This hotel is in the middle of everything, you can literally take the elevator straight to the stores, restaurants, and movie theaters. It’s also right next to the metromover (free transportation in Brickell and Downtown) if you want to venture out. Bed and bathtub are worth the visit.

  • Life House Hotel (Little Havana)
    Minimal service hotel located in the heart of Little Havana. Great design, cozy interiors, and a small restaurant. Enjoy hammocks on their patio and the rooftop views.

  • Faena (Miami Beach)
    Luxury on the beach, Faena is a 5-star hotel with a very eccentric style. Go to Tierra Santa Healing House for great spa services.

  • Kayak Miami Beach Hotel (South Beach)
    A collaboration between the major travel company, Kayak, and Life House Hotels. It’s a self-service hotel, where anything you may need is in your control. From checking in to ordering food or drinks. Complimentary bikes are a plus. And make sure to check out their restaurant Layla, with canal views and iguana sightings.

 

Where to eat

Breakfast/pastries

Casual lunch

Lunch/Dinner

  • Luna Park (Brickell)
    Order the cacio e pepe.

  • Casa Tua Cocina (Brickell)

  • NAOE (Brickell)

  • Boia De (Little Haiti)

  • Cafe La Trova (Little Havana)

  • Lung Yai Tapas (Little Havana)

  • Lucali (Miami Beach)
    This New York classic pizza place that requires long wait times can be easily accessed in Miami beach. They offer the basics that the Brooklyn restaurant serves, plus salads and drinks.

  • Sushi Garage (Miami Beach)

  • Itamae (Miami Design District)

  • Azabu (Miami Beach)

  • Kosushi Miami (South Beach)

  • Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill (South Beach)
    Sushi place hidden inside of Plymouth Hotel with great outdoor seating.

  • Stubborn Seed (South Beach)

  • PLANTA (South Beach)
    The most complete plant-based menu in Miami, anything you’re craving they’ll have in plat-based version from pizzas to sushi.

  • Phuc Yea (Upper East Side)

  • CVI.CHE 105 (Various locations)
    Great ceviche place in Miami, a must-go anytime you’re in Miami. Order the Vegetarian Risotto, and the Ceviche Ganador Mixto.

  • Palmar (Wynwood)

Desserts

Azucar Ice Cream

Nothing better than the Abuela Maria cone with guayaba sauce on top.

 

Where to drink

Coffee

  • Panther Coffee (Various locations)

  • Fincas Coffee (Upper Buena Vista)

  • All Day (Downtown)
    There's a small takeout window where you can order your coffee and food to go or grab a seat on the outdoor patio. The food and coffee are really good and the service is friendly and casual.

  • Versailles Cuban Bakery (Little Havana)
    Classic Cuban bakery in Miami with a little walk-up window. Do like the Cubans do and walk up to the window at 3:05 pm (official coffee break time).

Cocktails/beer

All Day

The coolest coffee and brunch spot in Miami.

 

Where to shop

  • Brickell City Center (Brickell)

  • Lucky Records (Wynwood)

 
Andrea De La Torre
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